Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler has first multi-interception game of year in season finale

Published Jan. 3, 2016 10:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was having a remarkably clean season -- until Week 17.

After going 16 weeks without a multi-interception game, Cutler threw three interceptions in a 24-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Cutler's first interception wasn't the best decision, but it also required a bit of luck for Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson to blindly bat the ball to his perfectly positioned teammate, safety James Ihedigbo.

Via the NFL's official Twitter account:

Right place. Right time. James Ihedigbo is making pinball interceptions in the end zone off Jay Cutler. #DETvsCHI https://t.co/YMdbgJuNSK
— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2016

Cutler's two other interceptions came while under immense pressure from Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead grabbed the second interception at the end of the second quarter and returned it 26 yards, setting up a 59-yard field goal just before halftime. Safety Glover Quin snagged the third interception, virtually sealing the game just after the two-minute warning.

Even though he threw three interceptions, Cutler only threw six incomplete passes (17-for-23, 73.9 completion percentage). He finished the game with 245 passing yards, including a pair of touchdowns to wide receiver Joshua Bellamy and running back Matt Forte.

With several of his top targets out, Cutler's leading receiver in Week 17 was wide receiver/return specialist Marc Mariani with six catches for 80 yards.